River Arts District, Asheville

News, pictures and more from the artists of the River Arts District. Unplugged.

Are you getting the most out of your Mac? [Mac workshop at the RAD Learning Studio]

Mac-workshop

Are you one of the gazillion people that now uses a Mac computer?

Did you recently switch over to a Mac from a PC and you're finding it to be very frustrating?

Are you squeezing as much out of OS X as possible?

Good news!!!

Vagabond Vistas Photography Instruction is conducting a Get The Most Out Of Your Mac workshop at the RAD Learning Studio in the Asheville River Arts District.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

This 2.5-hour session takes place on March 8th starting at 7:00PM (to 9:30PM)

In one evening, instructor David Simchock covers:

  • Mac OS-X overview
  • Desktop / Dock / Windows
  • Using folders and files
  • Working with multiple applications
  • Keyboard short-cuts
  • "Preferences"
  • Customizing your Mac workspace
  • Maintenance & Troubleshooting
  • Time Machine back-up

This workshop is perfect for any Mac user (not just photographers).  It's main objective is to help you optimize your OS X set-up and expose you to the many useful "short-cuts" that are available, ultimately making your Mac experience more efficient and more enjoyable.

And, it's only $35 if you sign up before February 15, 2012!  ($50 after that date)

DETAILS & REGISTRATION


Contact:  David Simchock

Website:  www.VagabondVistas.com

E-mail:  david@vagabondvistas.com

Phone:  828-216-6457

The RAD Learning Studio

375 Depot Street, Suite 101

Asheville, NC 28801

Announcing Stephen R. Ham's Monoprint Show at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park!

Language_is_music-balls_of_red

Artist Robert Motherwell once said: "Painting is a medium in which the mind can actualize itself; it is a medium of thought. Thus, painting, like music, tends to become its own content."
Asheville and River Arts District artist Stephen R. Ham feels this quote by the influential New York School painter captures the essence of his latest showing of his monoprints at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park entitled, "Language Is Music, A Revealing of the Human Soul". This installation is part of their WNC Artist Showcase series, coordinated by Wendy Outland, of WHO knows art.
Showing now through April 9 on the lobby level in the Pisgah Reception Area, a special artist reception will be held on Saturday, March 31, from 5 - 7 pm. Please come for light refreshments, wine and some guitar moments by the artist. The framed works, as well as giclees of various sizes, are for sale. This event is free and open to the public, and the exhibit is open every day.
The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park is conveniently located at I-26 and Long Shoals Road, and is on the eastern end of the Biltmore Park complex. There is plenty of street and garage parking behind the hotel, and the garage elevator opens directly into the lobby level in the Pisgah Reception Area. When entering the hotel from the front, go to the right, to the end of the hallway. Stephen hopes to see you on March 31; with movie theatres and fine dining next to the hotel, as well as services within the Hilton, the reception evening is an excellent night for entertainment, dining, and mingling with friends amidst high-quality art.
For questions, or to contact Stephen about visiting his studio, or purchasing original works or giclees, please call 828 335 4141.

FREE Pet Photography Seminar @ Asheville RAD Learning Studio

Cat-cuttalossa

Vagabond Vistas Photography Instruction has announced another FREE seminar in a long line of informative events that are being hosted at the RAD Learning Studio in Asheville.

Introduction to Pet Photography - DETAILS & REGISTRATION

This 90-minutes session on March 1st starts at 7:00PM and is designed with the pet owner in mind.  In one evening, instructor David Simchock covers:

  • What makes a great pet photo?
  • Evaluating lighting
  • Posing your pet
  • Camera controls
  • Lens selection
  • Composition tips

This is an ideal "intro" class for all those dog and cat lovers out there!  David will also touch upon equine photography techniques as well.

And, it's FREE!!!

DETAILS & REGISTRATION


Contact:  David Simchock

Website:  www.VagabondVistas.com

E-mail:  david@vagabondvistas.com

Phone:  828-216-6457

The RAD Learning Studio

375 Depot Street, Suite 101

Asheville, NC 28801

Launch Party for Potters' Skin Butter at The Village Potters February 11!

The Village Potters is pleased and proud to announce that they will host a 
celebratory event for Cara Mae™ Skin Care’s re-branding launch of Potters’ Skin Butter™ on Saturday, February 11
from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at The Village Potters in the River Arts District’s Riverview Station. Cara Mae founder, and the
maker of Potters’ Skin Butter™ Cara Steinbuchel will join us for this celebration of her official launch and business
expansion.

Cara Steinbuchel began making Potters’ Skin Butter™ , then under the name Potters’ Skin Food, in 2004 at the request
of a potter and gallery owner as a remedy for the drying effects of clay on the hands. A gift of materials from another
artist got her started, and after many trials on friends’ hands, her lotion was born. In a very short time, her non-greasy
lotion that stays on even after hand washing was tried and appreciated by more than just potters. Soon gardeners, rock
climbers, health care professionals, restaurant workers and more were discovering the deep hydration benefits of
Potters’ Skin Butter™.

In September 2011, Cara’s part-time side venture became a full-time enterprise as she began the process of creating a
more professional brand and plans to expand her production. In December of 2011, she moved production of her lotions
into the Blue Ridge Food Venture’s new Natural Products Manufacturing facility, where with the help of her partner
and Production Catalyst, Michelle Rogers, she has more than doubled her production. In addition to her already popular
Lavender and Tangerine scented lotions, this move has also allowed Cara to release an Unscented version for retail and
wholesale clients.

The Village Potters is pleased to host this celebration for Potters’ Skin Butter™, having been avid users of the lotion for
years, and proudly retails all scents in their Gallery. The event will include live music by Johnny Harwood & Friends,
the return of the Chocolate Fountain, and complimentary hand massages featuring Potters’ Skin Butter™ by Asheville
massage therapist Rachel Horn. Special gift pairings of pottery and Potters’ Skin Butter will also be available in the
Gallery, and more elements of the celebration are being added at present.

The Village Potters is a fully equipped Pottery housing the working studios of six professional Resident Potters, and
includes an exquisite gallery exhibiting and selling exceptional work of Resident Village Potters as well as that of
regional artists, including visiting Master’s Series Instructors. The Village Potters Teaching Center offers ongoing classes
for adults and children’s art camps and classes.

For information: Contact Lori Theriault: 
lori@thevillagepotters.com
Phone: 828-253-2424


*   *   *   *   *   *   *
Lori Theriault 

Crazy Green Studios
The Village Potters
Gallery • Studios • Teaching Center
191 Lyman Street
Asheville, NC 28801

FREE Photography Seminars @ The Asheville RAD Learning Studio

Intro-dp-seminar

Vagabond Vistas Photography Instruction is pleased to announce two upcoming FREE seminars at The RAD Learning Studio in the Asheville River Arts District.

Are you new to digital photography, or just confused about all of the basics?  Check this out:

Introduction to Digital Photography (Feb. 9, 2012) - DETAILS & REGISTRATION


Is your digital photography "process" inefficient and confusing?  Check this out:

Introduction to Digital Workflow (Feb. 16, 2012) - DETAILS & REGISTRATION


Each event is limited to only eight (8) participants and they are already filling up, so be sure to grab your space soon!

For further details about these events, and everything else going on with Vagabond Vistas, please contact:

David Simchock

E-mail:  david@vagabondvistas.com

Phone:  (828) 216-6457

Website:  www.VagabondVistas.com

A step inside...

[The Asheville Area Arts Council.]

Person: Kitty Love; new Executive Director for the AAAC
Place: 346 Depot Street
Passion: Advocating the arts

Kitty

Kitty Love is a self-proclaimed workaholic. This fact is great for her new position as Executive Director for the Asheville Area Art Council. She goes out of her way to get things done, putting together power points unasked, giving well received presentations to people who like herself, like to make things happen. Kitty has visions and with Kitty, visions become reality...

Read the rest of this post »

New Workshop Offering by Alena Hennessy

I have been traveling around the States teaching these workshops and am now able to offer the first one of the year in my studio/gallery, which I am so thrilled to share with my Asheville community. The response has been wonderful and is almost at capacity, with three or four more spots left. I shared the event on Facebook a few nights ago:

http://www.facebook.com/events/160407220734725/

Contact me at info@alenahennessy.com or 828.280.0071.

Here is the description:

In this 2-day workshop we will delve deep to awaken and inspire your creative spirit, abilities, and intentions, while learning different art-making and painting techniques. The workshop will take place from 4:30-8:30 pm on Sat/Sun at my gallery and studio. Upon completion, you will take home one to two finished works of art with your intention, or what you are calling and manifesting into your life, beautifully woven into each piece. This workshop is open to all skill levels and experiences. 

We will begin with a simple free movement exercise along with light stretching, to warm up the body and pull us into our center of being. I will then guide us through some simple breathing exercises and a guided meditation. From there we will move into free writing and intention settings, coming together in a circle before art making commences. 

During art making we will explore working with a variety of different materials and mediums. Pens, India ink, acrylic paints, decorative papers, collage images, text from books, and other intriguing ephemera and media will be used. This is your time to play and explore what colors, images, and textures move you. You may also decorate the back of your wood panel through more writing or collage. Demonstrations will be shown on different art making techniques you can experiment in your mixed media painting. I will also be bringing specialized flower essence blends for creativity and healing, along with some of my personal herbal tea blend for creative stimulation. 

This class is truly about creating a safe and sacred space for you to bring forth your joy and release all that no longer serves you. Your intentions and what you are manifesting will be infused into your artwork and will serve as a visual and energetic symbol along with a cherished reminder for your life. This is truly about joyful transformation! We are what we dream, we are what we think, and we hold the power to create and love the life we live.

Cost of workshop is $135 + $12 material fee (includes all art materials and two gallery-ready painting blocks). Space is limited so register early. Please Paypal the fee to alenahennessy@yahoo.com or call 828.280.0071. Registration based on a first come, first served basis.

Alena Hennessy is a full time artist who teaches workshops around the States and is the author of the upcoming book "Cultivating Your Creative Life: How to Find Beauty, Balance, and Success as an Artist".

www.alenahennessy.com

Pecha Kucha Night at Phil Mechanic Studios January 27th

Pecha Kucha Night - ASHEVILLE
January 27th.2012
Phil Mechanics Studios
109 Roberts Street Asheville, NC 28801


Please join us for our 5th installment of PKN - Asheville.
As you may already know, PKN is a great event which focuses on Art and Design, featuring local designers and artist who are bold enough to share what inspires them through a short slide show. It is a global design forum with a local event here in Asheville.

What's the format: put 20 images together, submitt them to us, and prepare to tell us what they are and why they matter. Then we project 20 slides on the screen for 20 seconds a piece. The presentations should be a narrative which outlines your design intensions, your background, your inspirations, creative explorations, or a graphical narrative providing us with visual manna. Each presentation last no more than 6mins40secs. It is an easy way to share your own design aesthetic or a narrative describing the inspirations that orbit around your design efforts. You can showcase your own work, a life in the day of you, or a series of images that must be shared. Visit the links below for examples and more information about the format.

This will be our first venue in the River Arts District. The event will be held at the Phil Mechanics Studio. As always, we will have food in drink for all, and require a small fee of 7$ to enjoy all you can. 

call 828-713-1169 or email johnkingdean@gmail.com for more information about submissions and particulars.

local website: pecha-kucha.org/night/asheville
global website: pecha-kucha.org
presentations examples: pecha-kucha.org/presentations

January

27th

2012
Confirmed presentation by:

Jay Bartell
Ken Kotara
Kitty Love
Amy Milne
Nathan Roney
Lara Strugis

slots are
still
available

WHAT YA GOT?